Stuff the Bus volunteers help move resource center

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Katy Castagna, president and CEO of The United Way Monterey County, with Dr. Nancy Kotowski, Monterey County superintendent of schools, at the annual Stuff the Bus program at the new Cabrillo Family Resource Center in Seaside on Tuesday. A group of volunteers helped with moving into the new location. (Vern Fisher - Monterey Herald)

Clothing and backpacks to be used for the annual Stuff the Bus program at the new Cabrillo Family Resource Center in Seaside on Tuesday. (Vern Fisher - Monterey Herald)

Seaside >> The Stuff the Bus campaign kicked off Tuesday with a group of volunteers helping the Cabrillo Family Resource Center move into its new location on La Salle Avenue in Seaside.

Led by the United Way Monterey County, Monterey Peninsula Unified School District and the county Office of Education, the Stuff the Bus campaign aims to provide school supplies to financially disadvantaged students.

“This campaign fulfills a critical role,” said Monterey County Superintendent of Schools Nancy Kotowski in a prepared statement. “Having access to school supplies helps get students off on the right foot, and provides them with the confidence they need to succeed in school.”

Cabrillo serves more than 800 families in the district. Other districts have similar centers and also benefit from Stuff the Bus.

Donors can text “StuffBus” to 313131 to give $20, which buys a fully stocked backpack.

Stuff the Bus culminates Aug. 6, when volunteers will fill backpacks with donated school supplies and deliver them to the homeless liaisons at each school district in Monterey County for distribution.